Comparison

OBDLink vs MINI

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OBDLink

Transform your phone into a powerful car diagnostic tool. Read and clear trouble codes, monitor real-time engine data, and track fuel economy. Generate detailed reports for easy sharing and analysis.

Highlights
  • Read and clear diagnostic trouble codes
  • Display real-time vehicle data
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Estimate fuel economy
  • Log data to CSV
  • GPS tracking of vehicle parameters
  • Full diagnostic reports
Features
Read full description

***The OBDLink app exclusively works with OBDLink MX+, OBDLink CX, and OBDLink MX WiFi OBD adapters*** ***The app will NOT function with any other brand of OBD adapter.*** ***MX+ provides Unlimited Free OEM Add-ons, No in-app fees*** Convert your phone or tablet into a full-fledged diagnostic scan tool: read diagnostic trouble codes, clear the "Check Engine" light, check emissions readiness, estimate fuel economy and much more! Key features: - Check and clear diagnostic trouble codes - Read freeze frame data - Display real-time data (over 90 parameters!) - Customizable dashboards - Emissions readiness for each US state - Fuel economy MPG, l/100km or km/l calculation - Multiple trip meters - Log data to CSV format (compatible with Excel) - Retrieve vehicle information including VIN number and calibration ID - Oxygen Sensor Results (Mode $05) - On-board Monitoring Tests (Mode $06) - In-performance Tracking Counters (Mode $09) - GPS tracking - plot vehicle parameters on a map in real-time - Full diagnostic report that can be e-mailed or uploaded to Dropbox - English and Metric units - Support for English, Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, and Czech languages - Free unlimited updates - Ad-free * Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

MINI

This app enhances your MINI ownership by providing remote vehicle control, status checks, trip planning, and service management. It allows you to monitor your car's condition, manage charging, and book appointments directly from your smartphone.

Highlights
  • Check vehicle status and alerts
  • Remote vehicle controls (climatisation, lock/unlock)
  • Trip planning and navigation with live map
  • Electric charging management
  • Service booking and roadside assistance
  • Explore MINI products and tutorials
Features
Read full description

MINI App – the essential companion for your MINI. Check vehicle status, use remote functions, plan trips, manage charging, book a service, and explore MINI features directly from your smartphone. Get started early with pre-delivery mode as soon as you receive your VIN, and prepare before your MINI arrives. Check vehicle status • View your vehicle’s location • Check fuel or battery level, tyre pressure, and vehicle alerts • Receive notifications if the alarm is triggered or your vehicle is hit while parked • Add widgets for faster access Use remote vehicle controls • Schedule and start climatisation • Lock/unlock doors, access the boot, and operate the horn and lights • Capture images from inside and outside the vehicle • Update vehicle settings and onboard apps remotely Plan trips and navigation • Plan routes and monitor traffic • Use the live map for charging, fuelling, and parking information • Send destinations directly to your vehicle, including from third-party apps • Review trip history with monthly and yearly summaries Manage electric charging • Find charging stations with pricing and nearby amenities • Use intelligent trip planning to optimise charging stops and estimate costs • Track charging session history and statistics • Connect to and control your MINI Wallbox via the app Explore MINI services • Discover MINI products, services, and subscriptions • Watch tutorial videos tailored to your vehicle model • Link your financial services account for easy access Manage maintenance and service • Monitor required services • Book service appointments in the app • Chat with your service partner • Request roadside assistance when needed The MINI App is optimised for vehicles built from 2018 onwards. Availability of features depends on country, vehicle model, equipment, app version, MINI Connected contract, and service availability. Displayed screens show representative data and may vary depending on vehicle, region, app version, and feature availability.

Screenshots

OBDLink4 screens
MINI4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MINI at none against OBDLink's 10. MINI also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. OBDLink sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. MINI asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for OBDLink against 4.8 for MINI. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13K and 26K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of OBDLink's written reviews are positive against 59% of MINI's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OBDLink ships an update every 2 months, MINI fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
OBDLink versus MINI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOBDLinkMINI
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13K ratings)4.8 (26K ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.7% of reviews — better59.3% of reviews
Number of ratings13K26K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB496 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperOBD Solutions LLCBMW

Customer experience

OBDLink

All ratings12,975 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral2.4%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews243 reviews
Positive61.7%
Neutral12.8%
Negative25.5%

MINI

All ratings25,676 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews548 reviews
Positive59.3%
Neutral10.6%
Negative30.1%

User reviews

OBDLink

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 👍 Customizable dashboard
  • 📊 Comprehensive diagnostics
  • 💰 Good value for money
  • 🔧 Helpful for DIY repairs

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🔌 Unreliable Bluetooth connection
  • 🤔 Limited support for newer vehicles
  • 📱 No CarPlay/Android Auto support
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate/configure

MINI

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Nice app
  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Works flawlessly
  • 🚀 Convenient access to information
  • 👍 Useful features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Charging status not updating
  • 🐛 Bluetooth connection problems
  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Unreliable app performance

Bugs and requests

OBDLink

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes or disconnects randomly
  • Trouble clearing error codes
  • Inconsistent data readings
  • Issues with firmware updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add CarPlay/Android Auto support
  • Improve Bluetooth/WiFi stability
  • Expand vehicle brand coverage
  • Enhance user interface and customization
  • Provide more detailed diagnostic information

MINI

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Time displayed incorrectly in charging notifications
  • Unable to update charging timer
  • Destination send to car feature not working after update
  • App disconnects from VIN after uninstall/reinstall
  • Repeated login required due to app forgetting vehicle

Requested features

6 requests
  • Remote start/stop function
  • Ability to make car payments through the app
  • Notifications for open windows/doors
  • Charging timer setting
  • Improved EV consumption tracking
Show 1 more
  • Apple Watch app support

In-app purchases

10 purchases

OBDLink

One-time10
  • Ford 2016 Enhanced Diagnostics$14.99
  • Toyota 2007 Enhanced$14.99
  • Toyota 2008 Enhanced$14.99
Show 7 more
  • Ford 2018 Enhanced Diagnostics$14.99
  • Ford 2022 Enhanced$14.99
  • Ford 2023 Enhanced$14.99
  • Ford 2015 Enhanced Diagnostics$14.99
  • Ford 2024 Enhanced$14.99
  • Ford 2017 Enhanced Diagnostics$14.99
  • Toyota 2011 Enhanced$14.99
None

MINI

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OBDLink free?
OBDLink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MINI free?
MINI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, OBDLink or MINI?
MINI is rated higher. OBDLink averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while MINI averages 4.8 from 26K ratings.
Do OBDLink or MINI have ads?
Neither OBDLink nor MINI shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OBDLink or MINI?
OBDLink ships an update every 2 months, and MINI fortnightly. Most recently, OBDLink was updated on November 7, 2026 and MINI on November 7, 2026.

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